Responsible for media relations for the 6th Annual Border Security Expo, a two-day event held at the Phoenix Convention Center. Event organizers wanted to generate local buzz for the event to both increase awareness and promote exhibitors.

Strategy:Leveraging news topic of border issues in Arizona, combined with stunning visuals event provides, execute proactive media outreach to secure morning show lives on-location as well as recorded stories for evening news. Generate coverage in Phoenix and also pitch national reporters who cover immigration or border security.

Tactics:In advance, sent out event media advisories followed by personal pitches to both local and national media outlets. Leveraged local media relationships to line up TV coverage through outreach to individual reporters and producers. During the event, posted photos and updates via Twitter, which generated second wave of media coverage the second day of the event where reporters could interview law enforcement attendees from around the world.

Results:
Coverage from every major news organization in Phoenix, including live television broadcasts on three stations; total of 8 TV stations (Phoenix and Tucscon), 3 newspapers and 4 radio stations. An Associated Press article and photo ran in newspapers across the country. Other national coverage included CNN, New York Times, NPR, FOX News and NBC Nightly News. Here are some examples:

Recommendations

“Joe is one of the best PR professionals in the business. He knows just what to do, who to call, and how to make things happen. His ability to connect and be on point is one of the traits that differentiates him from others. Joe’s creativity combined with his empathy and intelligence make him one of a kind.”